At a time when many furniture makers were turning to cheaper materials for mass production, mid-century modern designer John Keal didn't shy away from utilizing quality woods in his work, like mahogany and walnut to create his coffee tables, cabinets and benches.
While little is known about Keal, he was part of a powerhouse group that collaborated with Los Angeles furniture manufacturer Brown-Saltman in the 1940s and ‘50s. Other designers who had partnered with the firm during the mid-20th century included Greta Magnusson Grossman, Paul Frankl, Paul Laszlo, and Gilbert Rohde, a New York City-born designer who would help legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer Herman Miller avert financial disaster during the Great Depression.
Brown-Saltman was established in 1923 and initially specialized in reproductions of furniture in period styles. When cofounder David Saltman met Frankl, the firm had discontinued its Early California collection and was producing modern furniture.
The Austrian-born Frankl was already a big name in decorating in California in the late 1930s — his clients were Hollywood movie stars who were drawn to pieces such as his Art Deco-style Skyscraper series and other biomorphically shaped designs that showed the influence of Chinese and Japanese forms (Brown-Saltman’s offerings were frequently demonstrative of Asian influences). Frankl had become interested in producing inexpensive furniture for middle-class consumers, and his 1940s-era collaboration with Brown-Saltman was a success — print advertisements touted his name as well as the fact that these furnishings, which drew on the clean lines of chrome-framed Bauhaus pieces but instead integrated organic materials, were intended for modern homes.
Keal’s work also fit snugly into what we now call California modernism, which derived from the Bauhaus and International Style movements, and revolutionized the way we build homes today, not only in the Golden State but across the globe. Keal created sleek end tables in walnut and topped with enameled copper and upholstered low-profile dining chairs framed in bleached mahogany for Brown-Saltman as well as other West Coast mid-century brands such as Glenn of California and Modeline.
Find vintage John Keal seating, storage pieces and tables on 1stDibs.
John Keal for Brown Saltman Two-Tone Slat Bench
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features a mix of mahogany and beech wood that offers texture and depth with varying wood tones. Perfect...
Beech, Mahogany
Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Midcentury Brown Saltman expandable slat bench designed by John Keal. This bench has two ends that pull-out extending to almost 94” long creating a versatile solid oak walnut stained...
Oak
"Mid Century Expandable Solid Walnut Slatted Bench by John Keal, 1950s"
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid Century Large Expandable Solid Walnut Wood Slatted Bench, Coffee Table, featuring a Slat Top and Tapered Legs, Joinery detail and Standing on Classic Mid Century Tapered Legs
Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Chic Restored Set of 12 Vintage Danish Style Dining Chairs by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning set of twelve (12) Danish style dining chairs by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1955. There are two (2) host andten (10) side chairs. Stout, stylish cerused mahogany f...
Mahogany
$6,000 / set
John Keal Octagonal Stools in Walnut, USA 1950's
By John Keal
Located in New York, NY
John Keal Pair of Stools for Brown Saltzman of California. Another pair available for COM.
Upholstery, Walnut
$12,800Sale Price / set|38% Off
Modular 5-Piece Sectional of 3 Chairs and 2 Tables for Brown Saltman in Walnut
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
This is an ultra-rare set of 3-legged lounge chairs and two end tables designed by the legendary John Keal for Brown Saltman. All three chairs and two tables still feature their orig...
Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Beached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Pair
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Franklin Park, IL
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Beached Mahogany Dining Chairs - Pair Each chair measures: 22.5 wide x 21.5 deep x 30 inches high, with a seat height/chair clearance of 17 i...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Restored 1950s Brown Saltman Solid Mahogany Dining Chairs in Edelman Leather
By Paul Laszlo, John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Toluca Ter, CA
Immaculately restored set of 8 mahogany dining chairs by Brown Saltman, made in Southern California c. 1950s. The chairs consist of solid mahogany frames and Edelman Royal Hide leat...
Leather, Mahogany
$5,671
John keal chairs
By John Keal, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Jolie chauffeuse par John Keal, attribuée parfois à Gibbings.
Velvet, Wood
Chic Restored Set of 8 Vintage Danish Style Dining Chairs by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Atlanta, GA
This magnificent set of dining chairs is shipped as professionally photographed and described in the listing narrative: Meticulously professionally restored, newly upholstered and co...
Mahogany
Mid 20th Century Mid Century Dining Chairs by John Keal, Set of 4
By John Keal
Located in Wheat Ridge, CO
John Keal for Brown Saltman Mid Century Cerused Mahogany Dining Chairs - Set of 4 A stunning set of four mid-mod Danish style dining chairs attributed to John Keal for Brown Saltman...
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of Two ( 2 ) Triangular Low Profile Chairs in Walnut by John Keal for Brown
By John Keal
Located in Deland, FL
This is an ultra-rare set of 3-legged lounge chairs designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman. The chairs feature their original hardware and can be hinged together for tandem seating in a myriad of combinations and shapes if desired. The solid walnut frames are exquisitely shaped and the stunning wood grain is offset perfectly by the newly re-upholstered seats (redone in a fabulous burnt orange with hints of violet knit fabric). If desired we have additional pieces from this series sold seperately; at the time of publishing this larger set is the largest intact original set available for sale in the North America. Whether you want the two exceptional low profile side side chairs...
Walnut
Chic Set of 8 Lacquered Dining Chairs
Located in Bronx, NY
Chic set of 8 dining chairs in black lacquer with padded seat panels. The chairs are in very good condition and quite comfortable.
Hardwood
Set of Eight Danish Vintage Dining Chairs by Erik Buch
By Erik Buch, Oddense Maskinsnedkeri
Located in London, GB
A superb set of eight Danish vintage dining chairs by Erik Buch. They were made in Denmark, they are the model 49 chair produced by Oddense Maskinsnedkeri, they date from the 1960’s....
Faux Leather, Wood
$5,200 / set
H 31.7 in W 18.9 in D 18.51 in
Silvio Coppola for Bernini Set of Four Dining Chairs in Brown Leather
By Bernini, Silvio Coppola
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Silvio Coppola for Bernini, set of four dining chairs model 330, leather, walnut, Italy, 1960s. This magnificent set of dining chairs by the renowned Italian designer Silvio Coppola...
Leather, Beech
Set of Eight Danish Vintage Teak Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
A very stylish and extremely well made set of 8 Danish vintage dining chairs in solid teak made in the 1960’s The quality is outstanding, they have a beautiful, sculptural design an...
Teak, Faux Leather
American Designer, Counter Stools, Iron, Velvet, USA, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A set of four black-painted iron and blue velvet counter stools or bar stools designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Oxidation present to metal. Wear consistent with age and u...
Iron
$2,692Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 40 in W 20 in D 24 in
Vintage Danish Modern Dining Chairs Set of 6. Made in Denmark.
Located in Seattle, WA
Vintage Danish modern dining chairs set of 6. Dimensions. 20 W ; 40 H ; 24 D Seat height 18.
Wood
$2,280Sale Price|26% Off
H 14.25 in W 60 in D 18 in
Mid-Century Modern Walnut Slatted Bench or Coffee Table, 1960s, Refinished
By Herman Miller, Maruni, George Nelson
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully refinished Mid-Century Modern slatted wood bench in richly toned walnut, offering the perfect combination of clean architectural lines and functional versatility. Craft...
Wood
A. Brandt Ranch Oak, Stool, Fabric, Oak, USA, 1950s
By A. Brandt Ranch Oak Furniture
Located in High Point, NC
A oak and green fabric stool or ottoman produced by A. Brandt Ranch Oak, USA, c. 1950s. Wear to vintage fabric consistent with age and use. Minimal wear to wood frame. Overall Dim...
Fabric, Oak
$1,890
H 29.53 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Model 122 Chair by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in Walnut and Leather, 1968
By Cassina, Vico Magistretti
Located in Vicenza, IT
Model 122 chair designed by Vico Magistretti for Cassina in 1967. This model features a solid walnut structure combined with a curved plywood body, with legs shaped in a semicylindr...
Leather, Walnut
Set of 12 Chippendale Style Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality set of twelve (10 + 2 arms) late 19th century mahogany Chippendale style mahogany dining chairs, each having wo...
Mahogany
$15,876 / set
H 38.19 in W 19.3 in D 22.05 in
SCOTTISH VICTORIAN SET 12 RESTORED DYED LEATHER DINING CHAiRS BY JOHN TAYLOR
By John Taylor
Located in Pulborough, GB
Antiques of London Scottish Victorian Set of 12 Restored Dyed Leather Dining Chairs by John Taylor & Son, Edinburgh A superb Scottish Victorian set of 12 dining chairs by John T...
Leather
Mid-Century Slat Bench by Harry Bertoia for Knoll
By Knoll, Harry Bertoia
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Wonderful mid-century slat bench or coffee table by Harry Bertoia for Knoll, 1950s. Stained ash. Early original Bowtie Label (Knoll Associates) that predates Knoll International. Has...
Steel
John Keal for Brown Saltman Two-Tone Slat Bench
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features a mix of mahogany and beech wood that offers texture and depth with varying wood tones. Perfect...
Mahogany, Beech
John Keal Slatted Bench for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Low profile bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman, circa 1950s, USA. The bench features mahogany wood slats and tapered dowel legs. Perfect as a low profile coffee table, entryway ben...
Mahogany
John Keal for Brown Saltman Lounge Chair (One)
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Middlesex, NJ
John Keal for Brown Saltman Lounge Chair (One)
Upholstery, Wood
John Keal for Brown Saltman Lounge Chair (One)
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Middlesex, NJ
John Keal for Brown Saltman Lounge Chair (One)
Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 29.5 in W 26.5 in D 24 in
John Keal for Brown Saltman Low Profile 3 Legged Triangular Walnut Lounge Chair
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic Mid-Century Vintage John Keal for Brown Saltman Low Profile Walnut 3 Legged Triangular Lounge Chair. Excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear. Chair has been...
Upholstery, Walnut
Mid Century Modern Expandable Slatted Wood Bench by John Keal
By John Keal
Located in Waxahachie, TX
Exuding timeless appeal, this slatted wood bench by renowned mid-century modern designer John Keal embodies both functionality and clean-lined aesthetic. Crafted with meticulous atte...
Walnut
Extendable Bench in Mahogany by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in San Diego, CA
John Keal designed this extendable bench in mahogany for Brown Saltman. We have restored it to excellent vintage condition. This ingenious design has two ends that pull-out extending...
Walnut
Brown Saltman Expandable Slat Bench by John Keal
By Brown Saltman, John Keal
Located in Miami, FL
Midcentury Brown Saltman expandable slat bench designed by John Keal. This ingenious design has two ends that pull-out extending to almost 94” long. A ...
Walnut
Upholstered Bench by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal
Located in Dallas, TX
A sculpted mahogany bench with upholstered top. Designed by John Keal for Brown Saltman.
Mahogany
John Keal Iron + Leather Bar Stools for Thinline of California
By John Keal
Located in Los Angeles, CA
California design. Nice modernist bar stools. Original powder coated steel with brass footrest and new leather upholstery in the same manner as found. The iron is in the original vin...
Brass, Iron
Midcentury Two-Tone Bench / Table by John Keal for Brown Saltman
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Wood, Beech, Mahogany, Walnut
John Keal for Brown Saltman Dining Chairs
By John Keal, Brown Saltman
Located in Denton, TX
Classic Mid Century Design by John Keal for Brown Saltman furniture. Newly refinished in a satin light walnut with sage green upholstery Arm chairs measure: 24 1/2 deep x 22 1/4 ...
Upholstery, Wood